Domestic Violence - What Is TN Doing?

Domestic violence in TN is on a rampage.  TN has gone from seventh in the Nation to fifth in the number of women who are murdered each year.

The following is quoted from a cover letter to a report entitled "The Impact Of Domestic Violence On The Tennessee Economy" presented to the Tennessee General Assembly by the Tennessee Economic Council on Women in January, 2006:

"Greetings:

Over the course of the past two years, the Economic Council on Women has undertaken research to determine the economic impact of domestic violence in Tennessee. In that time, there have been changes in two very telling statistics. First, we’ve gone from 7th in the Nation to 5th in the number of women who are murdered each year – usually by an intimate partner and usually with a gun. Also in that time, the Center for Disease Control has increased its estimation of the occurrence of domestic violence from
1 in 4 families to 1 in 3.

What we’ve learned is that these figures are only the tip of the iceberg. Domestic violence by all accounts is still the most underreported crime. We still don’t talk about it in polite company and we’ve refused to see it as anything other than an unfortunate incident that happens somewhere else. The truth is that it happens daily to women of all economic levels, all races, all nationalities, all religious groups. And it’s happening more frequently.

Dealing with domestic violence has become a multi-million dollar business. Between the money expended to imprison the offenders to the increasing costs of maintaining a safe work environment or paying the litigation expenses of not doing so, domestic violence is making a significant negative economic impact.

The Council thanks all of those people who assisted in this report. At our request, representatives of business, the legal field, medical and mental health professionals and social service providers presented testimony at public hearings across the State. So many others gave us their time and perspectives in private interviews. Their honesty and forthrightness in educating us about what we know – and what we don’t know – about this issue was invaluable. Finally, we must thank the brave women who shared their
stories with us. Their ability to face each new day requires a special kind of courage.

Sincerely,

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If you would like to contact the Economic Council on Women:

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Domestic Violence Help In Tennessee Cities

 

Life's New Beginnings is a non-profit organization established for the sole purpose of increasing public awareness of Domestic Violence and how it affects all of us.